As part of the Algerian–Russian military cooperation program planned for 2025, a detachment of the Naval Fleet of the Russian Federation made an official port call at the port of Algiers. The formation is composed of the Kilo II-class attack submarine “Krasnodar” and the sea rescue tug “Altay,” which arrived on Thursday, December 18, 2025, for a four-day stay.
According to official information, during the port call the commander of the Russian mission and the accompanying delegation paid a courtesy visit to the commander of the Central Maritime Front at the Algiers Naval Base, part of the First Military Region. During this meeting, issues related to bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of technical knowledge exchange between the navies of both countries were discussed.
The program of activities includes reciprocal visits between officers of the Algerian Navy and the crew of the Russian detachment, with the aim of sharing experiences and capabilities in the maritime domain. In addition, cultural and tourist activities are planned for members of the Russian crew during their stay in the country.
Monitoring of the “Krasnodar” transit through European waters
The arrival of the Russian submarine in Algeria follows an operation conducted in mid-December by the Royal Navy, which carried out a three-day monitoring mission to track the movement of Krasnodar as it transited the North Sea, the Dover Strait, and the English Channel. The operation was conducted in coordination with NATO allies and forms part of the United Kingdom’s maritime security efforts in response to increased Russian naval activity in the region.
According to the Royal Navy, the surveillance was carried out using a Merlin helicopter from the 814 Naval Air Squadron and the logistics vessel RFA Tidesurge, which also tracked the tug Altay. The helicopter remained embarked throughout the mission, ready to conduct anti-submarine warfare operations in the event that the Russian submarine submerged. However, Krasnodar sailed on the surface, even under adverse weather conditions.
In this regard, the commanding officer of RFA Tidesurge, Captain James Allen, stated: “There is nothing like a Russian submarine to focus the mind of any sailor. Our work over three days involved teamwork and professionalism from the entire crew of RFA Tidesurge, the 814 Naval Air Squadron ‘Atlantic Flight,’ and interoperability with regional NATO allies. We worked together as a demonstration of presence and deterrence as we transited from the North Sea to the English Channel.”
Military cooperation between Russia and Algeria
The port call by the Russian naval detachment takes place within a broader context of military cooperation between Moscow and Algiers. In October, documents were made public detailing the supply of equipment for a batch of 14 Su-34 fighter-bombers for the Algerian Air Force, allowing the total number of aircraft included in the agreement between the two countries to be known for the first time.
The presence of the submarine Krasnodar in the port of Algiers thus reinforces a military cooperation agenda encompassing both the naval and aerospace domains, further consolidating the strategic ties between Russia and Algeria.
Cover image obtained from the Algerian Ministry of National Defense.
You may be interested in: India and Russia will resume negotiations over Su-57 stealth fighters and S-500 air defense systems
